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The article comments on the criticism of the paper "Problems with the Concept of Video Game Addiction," by Richard T. Wood. Video game addiction is thought to be a flawed concept. The core psychological processes involved appear to be universal. The development of types of addiction defined solely by the activity oversimplifies a complex issue which leads to further confusion on what is addiction.

Video game playing has received increased academic interest over the last few decades, particularly with regard to the psychological understanding of addiction. Based on the many studies carried out by the authors, this paper summarises some of the methodological challenges which may arise when studying video game players, including obstacles associated with various aspects of the research population, the knowledge and attributes of the researcher, as well as external factors often out of the researcher’s control. This paper is based on the experience of conducting empirical studies of varying methodologies, including group interview, experiment and survey methods. Practical advice is also suggested, to assist researchers in building effective relationships between the research discipline and the gaming industry and community, as well as conducting their research in the most ethical, flexible, and efficient manner possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An important consequence of adoption of public health approaches in the field of gambling studies has been the increasing emphasis afforded to gambling harm. Reducing or eliminating harm has now become the overt stated mission of many government foundations and funding bodies. A by-product of these developments has been the gradual reduction of references to terms capturing the nature of the primary disorder (problem or pathological gambling or gambling disorder) in preference for what are considered to be more neutral or less 'stigmatising' terms (e.g. 'people with gambling harm'). In this paper, we argue that this conflation of gambling harm with the disorder is misguided. Not only does it fail to acknowledge the validity of the disorder but it is also unjustified by evidence and may have unintended negative consequences for both people affected by gambling and the field more generally. In particular, we focus on the clinical and legal advantages of adherence to an individual-centred, pathology model of gambling disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decade, there has been an increase in children and adolescents accessing psychology services regarding problematic use of online videogames. Consequently, providing effective treatment is essential. The present paper describes the design process of a manualized PIPATIC (Programa Individualizado Psicoterapéutico para la Adicción a las Tecnologías de la información y la comunicación) intervention program for 12- to 18-year-old adolescents with Internet Gaming Disorder. The design and application of the PIPATIC program integrates several areas of intervention structured into six modules: psychoeducational, treatment as usual, intrapersonal, interpersonal, family intervention, and development of a new lifestyle. The program’s goals are to reduce the addiction symptoms related to online videogames and to improve the well-being of adolescents. Preliminary findings suggest positive and encouraging effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the pilot evaluation of an Internet-based intervention, designed to teach counselors and problem gamblers about how electronic gambling machines (EGMs) work. This study evaluated the tutorial using assessment tools, such as rating scales and test of knowledge about EGMs and random chance. The study results are based on a number of samples, including problem gambling counselors (n = 25) and problem gamblers (n = 26). The interactive tutorial was positively rated by both clients and counselors. In addition, we found a significant improvement in scores on a content test about EGM games for both clients and counselors. An analysis of the specific items suggests that the effects of the tutorial were mainly on those items that were most directly related to the content of the tutorial and did not always generalize to other items. This tutorial is available for use with clients and for education counselors. The data also suggest that the tutorial is equally effective in group settings and in individual settings. These results are promising and illustrate that the tool can be used to teach counselors and clients about game design. Furthermore, research is needed to evaluate its impact on gambling behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Childhood maltreatment and adolescent substance abuse are important health issues that have been linked by research and theory for at least 50 years. Considering the intricacies of child maltreatment research, this paper aims to answer the question: which models show the most promise to explain why child maltreatment is a risk indicator for adolescent substance abuse? Models of the mechanisms of this association are reviewed and evaluated in the context of the many complexities of defining and measuring child maltreatment. We offer three recommendations for future research in this area: 1) measures of the severity of child maltreatment should be used where possible; 2) positive childhood relationships should be assessed as a potentially important protective factor; 3) more research should involve system-involved children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years clinicians report a great deal of concern about definition, diagnostic assessment, and treatment modalities when dealing with what might be called out-of-control sexual behavior. Many terms have been used to describe the phenomenon of problematic sexual behavior. Many of these concepts overlap, some are no longer popular, and some are used interchangeably. Without clear criteria and definitions, the diagnosis is difficult, if not impossible, to assign. This paper compares problematic sexual behavior with the common heuristic explanations from the current literature, which identify the problem as a compulsive, impulsive, or addictive disorder. Accordingly, this paper will look at the current treatment models employed despite these controversies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Parental Mediation Model (PMM) was initially designed to regulate children's attitudes towards the traditional media. In the present era, because of prevalent online media there is a need for similar regulative measures. Spending long hours on social media and playing online games increase the risks of exposure to the negative outcomes of online gaming. This paper initially applied the PMM developed by European Kids Online to (i) test the reliability and validity of this model and (ii) identify the effectiveness of this model in controlling problematic online gaming (POG). The data were collected from 592 participants comprising 296 parents and 296 students of four foreign universities, aged 16 to 22 years in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). The study found that the modified model of the five-factor PMM (Technical mediation, Monitoring mediation, Restrictive mediation, Active Mediation of Internet Safety, and Active mediation of Internet Use) functions as a predictor for mitigating POG. The findings suggest the existence of a positive relation between 'monitoring' and 'restrictive' mediation strategies and exposure to POG while Active Mediation of Internet Safety and Active mediation of Internet use were insignificant predictors. Results showed a higher utility of 'technical' strategies by the parents led to less POG. The findings of this study do not support the literature suggesting active mediation is more effective for reducing youth's risky behaviour. Instead, parents need to apply more technical mediations with their children and adolescents' Internet use to minimize the negative effects of online gaming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is often noted that the health of any system is predicated upon a healthy dose of doubt and intrinsic scepticism. This is a requisite for identifying areas of improvement, blind spots and biases as well as culling out weak and diseased variables that might pose an eventual risk to the overall health of a system. Equally applicable to biological and natural systems as well as humanistic branches of epistemology, cosmology, sociology and other defining features of the human condition, suspicion ensures that the operational integrity and guiding principles of a collective are maintained, optimized and differentiated from other like bodies. This paper endeavours to resuscitate the forgotten historical lineage of doubt that constituted the early genesis of therapeutics in depth psychology and psychotherapy through the following question: 'How can suspicion facilitate self-awareness and existential clarity within the therapeutic alliance?' Answering this question will be done primarily through a case-study that makes the point that suspicion is not something fabricated by psychology after the fact, but rather, that psyche itself is implicitly guided by contrarian ways that draw out the meaning and messages of symptoms, impulses and unconscious imagery leading people to seek therapy in the first place. Doubt, it is argued, is not something to be reductively paved over in counselling, but is the very therapeutic crucible of transcendence and self-awareness necessary for authentic, embodied transformation to unfold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Online gaming addiction is a relatively under-researched area and there have been few studies examining online gamers in treatment. This paper reports the findings from a qualitative interview study of nine players undergoing treatment for their addictive playing of Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (MMORPGs). A face-to-face interview study with nine online gaming addicts was carried out using Grounded Theory. The six most reported phenomena by the participants were: (i) entertainment search, (ii) virtual friendship, (iii) escapism and/or dissociation, (iv) game context, (v) control versus no control, and (vi) conflict. The findings suggest that players' initial gaming motivation is because of three factors: (i) entertainment, (ii) escapism, and/or (iii) virtual friendship. MMORPG addiction appears once the playing time significantly increases, coupled with a loss of control and a narrow behavior focus. These factors lead to problems and result in psychological dependence and serious life conflicts. The consequences of MMORPG addiction are similar to the consequences of more established substance addictions including salience, mood modification, loss of control, craving, and serious adverse effects. Additionally, in some cases, tolerance and relapse may also be present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Video game playing has become a very popular activity among adolescents. Its impact on the mental health and well-being of players is just beginning to be explored. This paper reports on the prevalence of problematic gaming in a representative sample of 2,832 Ontario students in grades 7 to 12. The survey included questions about the school grade, family and school related problems, frequency of video game playing and video game related problems as measured by the Problem Video Game Playing scale (PVP). Most of the students (85 %) reported playing video games in the past year and 18.3 % reported playing video games daily. Slightly less then 1 in 10 of the students (9.4 %) endorsed 5 or more of the PVP items (males 15.1 %; females 3.1 %). Further research is required to delineate the concept of excessive video game playing, its relation to other addictions, and the impact on adolescents' psychosocial functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early research into the motivations behind problem gambling reflected separate paradigms of thought splitting our understanding of the gambler into divergent categories. However, over the past 25 years, problem gambling is now best understood to arise from biological, environmental, social, and psychological processes, and is now encapsulated under the biopsychosocial model. While, the biopsychosocial model brings a great degree of understanding regarding the etiology and process becoming a problem gambler, it is clear that further research is needed to improve theoretical perspectives that identify causal trajectories that underlie gambling related problems amongst sub-groups of problem gamblers. One line of research that has gone understudied with respect to exploring such causal paths is the Mythic Iconic Pathway of problem gambling. Such a pathway conceptualizes gambling pathology as a life-world phenomenon that arises within an individual who filters perceptions of the self and world through a hero’s complex. Thus, this paper will outline the Mythic Iconic Pathway, including its phenomenological processes, and describe the key therapeutic insights and implications to consider when adopting such a novel approach toward understanding and treating the problem gambler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that the recent concerns about video game “addiction” have been based less on scientific facts and more upon media hysteria. By examining the literature, it will be demonstrated that the current criteria used for identifying this concept are both inappropriate and misleading. Furthermore, by presenting four case studies as examples it will be demonstrated how such claims of video game addiction can be inaccurately applied. It is concluded that the most likely reasons that people play video games excessively are due to either ineffective time management skills, or as a symptomatic response to other underlying problems that they are escaping from, rather than any inherent addictive properties of the actual games. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manchiraju et al. ( International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 1-15, 2016) published the Compulsive Online Shopping Scale (COSS) in the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction ( IJMHA). To develop their measure of compulsive online shopping, Manchiraju and colleagues adapted items from the seven-item Bergen Shopping Addiction Scale (BSAS) and its' original 28-item item pool. Manchiraju et al. did not add or remove any of the original seven items, and did not substantially change the content of any of the 28 items on which the BSAS was based. They simply added the word 'online' to each existing item. Given that the BSAS was specifically developed to take into account the different ways in which people now shop and to include both online and offline shopping, there does not seem to be a good rationale for developing an online version of the BSAS. It is argued that the COSS is not really an adaptation of the BSAS but an almost identical instrument based on the original 28-item pool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electronic Bingo games have recently appeared in Ontario Charitable Gaming Centres. Here we summarize the characteristics of this novel form of electronic gambling, and give a detailed characterization of one game. We contend that these games have structural characteristics that make them similar to modern Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) that feature multiline slots games. These features include a fast and continuous gaming experience, with player adjustable win size and reinforcement rate, a high frequency of losses disguised as wins, and highly salient near misses. Some of these games also have bonus rounds and provide players with a list of recent wins. We conclude that provincial and state gaming authorities should be aware that the placement of Bingo EGMs in existing Bingo facilities may increase problem gambling among an already well-established community of Bingo enthusiasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-other dualism results in a view of the self as continually under threat. A foreboding of fear, anxiety, depression, sorrow, and ultimately panic are likely outcomes. Belief withdrawal, particularly relinquishment of self-other dualism, has however been found to mitigate these outcomes. This article reports on a study examining the effectiveness of belief withdrawal attained through engagement with A Course in Miracles (ACIM), as devised by Dr Helen Schucman, a Professor of Medical Psychology at Columbia University''s College of Physicians and Surgeons. One-on-one interviews were conducted with thirty-three participants (sourced through ACIM Meetup groups) who had completed the ACIM self-study program of 365 workbook lessons aimed at restoring mental health through the discontinuation of dualistic perception. The data indicates self-other belief relinquishment may be achieved through ACIM facilitating significant attitudinal and behavioural change. ACIM's ontological orientation was found to play a significant role in facilitating these changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although an increasing number of studies have focused on problematic smartphone use and smartphone addiction, few of these studies have employed both quantitative and qualitative methods or employed a cross-cultural design. A limited number of studies have compared eastern and western groups. The present study investigates the prevalence and causes of problematic smartphone use among Chinese and British undergraduates. A sample of n = 778 undergraduates participated in this study (475 Chinese students and 303 British students). Students' scores on a self-report measure of problematic smartphone use were compared across country and gender. Qualitative data were analyzed using the framework approach. Chinese undergraduates reported significantly higher levels of PSU than British undergraduates, with a medium to large effect size. Females scored significantly higher than males in both groups. Chinese students reported that the sharp transition from a strictly managed high school life to a freer university life affected their level of smartphone use. This study indicates the importance of considering cultural and educational backgrounds when conducting studies on problematic smartphone use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Personality characteristics, psychopathology, and other individual factors (e.g., motivation) are strongly associated with problematic drinking, but the extent to which these predict drinking behavior in a naturalistic setting, or how social aspects contribute to drinking behaviors in a diverse sample, is less understood. We sought to identify psychosocial variables linked to problematic alcohol use and examined real-time alcohol-related decision making in a naturalistic setting in a 2-day study involving a structured clinical interview, self-report measures, and an ad-lib social drinking task (following a 15-min mingling period, participants choose an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage to consume in a 30-min period). Fifty-one European American and African American community-based individuals (Mage = 23.78) in the Southeastern United States, classified as either “social” or “problematic” drinkers, participated. Those screening positively for major depression and antisocial personality disorder and those endorsing internal drinking motives reported greater problematic drinking. Individuals screening positive for major depression were more likely to choose alcohol in a social context, whereas impulsivity and social drinking motives were not predictive of beverage choice. Those engaging in social interaction during the social drinking task were more likely to choose alcohol regardless of initial preference. Results suggest social interaction not only influences drinking behavior, but impacts real-time decisions to drink alcohol, which is an area that has been largely overlooked in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caffeine is the most popular psychoactive substance that is consumed worldwide. As motives influence behavior, investigation of the motivational background of caffeine consumption should help provide a better understanding of the popularity of caffeinated products. The present study aimed (i) to explore and operationalize the motives of caffeine consumption and (ii) to reveal possible differences in the motives regarding gender, age and the type of caffeinated products consumed. Motives for caffeine consumption were collected from regular caffeine consumers (N = 26) and were informed by a review of the relevant literature. Following this, a cross-sectional study was conducted on a convenience sample of Hungarian university students and working adults (N = 598). The participants completed the Motives for Caffeine Consumption Questionnaire and the Caffeine Consumption Questionnaire. Six motivational factors were identified: Alertness, Habit, Mood, Social, Taste and Symptom Management. Women had higher scores on Habit, Social, Taste and Symptom Management. Younger participants had higher scores on Alertness than the older group, and the older group had higher scores on Habit and Symptom Management. Five types of caffeine users were identified. Those who consumed (i) coffee, (ii) tea, (iii) energy drinks, (iv) coffee and tea and (v) mixed drinks. Several differences between the five groups were revealed across all motives except for Taste. The present study developed a robust psychometric instrument for assessing caffeine consumption motives. The factors varied in importance in relation to gender, age and caffeine consumption habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problematic Internet gaming represents a potential public health concern due to its negative consequences for players and their families. It has been argued that disordered gaming may manifest more readily in vulnerable individuals who lack alternative means of coping. This study investigated Internet gaming disorder (IGD) in relation to coping, including emotion- and problem-focused coping styles. The sample was 823 adolescents (402 males) recruited from secondary schools. Participants completed surveys including the DSM-5 IGD checklist and the Brief COPE. Symptoms of IGD were significantly positively related to denial and behavioural disengagement but were not related to 10 other coping styles. Hours spent gaming and denial coping were the strongest predictors of IGD symptoms. These findings suggest that IGD may co-occur with a tendency toward denial coping, highlighting the significant challenge for practitioners in obtaining reliable assessment by self-report and developing an effective therapeutic alliance in interventions for adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Griffiths’ (2017) response to the recent commentary piece by Ryding and Kaye (2017) on “Internet Addiction: A conceptual minefield” provided a useful critique and extension of some key issues. We take this opportunity to further build upon on one of these issues to provide some further insight into how the field of “internet addiction” (IA) or technological addictions more generally, may benefit from capitalising on behavioural data. As such, this response extends Griffiths’ (2007) points surrounding the efficacy of behavioural data previously used in studies on problematic gambling, to consider its merit for future research on IA or associated topics such as Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD) or “Smartphone addiction”. Within this, we highlight the challenges associated with utilising behavioural data but provide some practical solutions which may support researchers and practitioners in this field. These recent developments could, in turn, advance our understanding and potentially validate such concepts by establishing behavioural correlates, conditions and contexts. Indeed, corroborating behavioural metrics alongside self-report measures presents a key opportunity if scholars and practitioners are to move the field forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study are to examine the characteristics of compulsive buying among college students at an American public university. More specifically we explored how irrational beliefs impact compulsive buying among this population; and, to investigate the types and frequency of consumer goods purchased by college students at an American public university. The study is based on data collected from a self-administered survey of 175 American college women. The results of this study showed that the prevalence of women are compulsive buyers was consistent with an earlier estimate using the Richmond Compulsive Buying Scale (27 %); irrational beliefs were associated with and predicted compulsive buying; and compulsive and non-compulsive buyers did not differ in the types of consumer goods purchased but in the frequency with which consumer goods are purchased. The study has significance by replicating the impact irrational beliefs have on compulsive buying. Such beliefs should be addressed in any preventative program targeting compulsive buying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both ketamine and methamphetamine (MA) have become very popular and have been abused worldwide over the past two decades. However, the relationship between dependence on ketamine or MA and psychiatric comorbidities is still unclear. This study aimed to examine the frequency of co-morbid psychiatric disorders in patients dependent on ketamine or methamphetamine who were receiving treatment at three substance abuse treatment clinics (SACs) in Hong Kong. This was a retrospective chart review. The medical records of 183 patients (103 with ketamine and 80 with MA dependence) treated between January 2008 and August 2012 were retrieved. Patients' demographic data, patterns of substance abuse and comorbid psychiatric diagnoses were recorded. The mean age of onset and duration of substance abuse were 18.1 ± 4.7 and 9.2 ± 6.2 years for ketamine and 19.9 ± 8.8 and 10.5 ± 9.8 years for MA users, respectively. Psychotic disorders were more common in MA dependent users (76.2 % vs. 28.2 %, p < 0.001), whereas mood disorders were more common in ketamine dependent users (27.2 % vs. 11.2 %, p = 0.008). Ketamine and MA dependence have a notably different profile of psychiatric co-morbidity. Compared with MA dependence, ketamine dependence is more likely to be associated with mood disorders and less likely with psychotic disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In sub-Saharan Africa, families represent a type of social safety net for individuals in difficulty, thus making up for the absence of social programs and public institutions for orphaned youth. Yet the past decades have witnessed an erosion of the mechanisms of solidarity and health inequalities between orphans and non-orphaned children. This study aims to understand the family dynamics that lead to mental disorders among orphans in Burkina Faso, a landlocked and resource-limited country. A unique set of key informant interviews with 43 orphans and in-depth direct observations in informal neighborhoods were conducted from September to December 2012, transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis techniques (Corbin and Strauss 2014). The findings reveal the assumptions concerning children's belonging to their father's extended family are misplaced and shed light on the unintended effects of intra-family divisions, mistrust, and harsh economic conditions of widows on the mental health of orphans, described as uprooted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic buoyancy is defined as the capacity to overcome challenges that are a part of everyday academic life. The present study sought to determine the relationship between self-management strategies of life and positive youth development with academic buoyancy. 400 female high school students completed self-management strategies of life, positive youth development, and academic buoyancy scales. Using structural equation analysis, positive youth development and self-management strategies were found to have a significant positive relationship on academic buoyancy. Self-management strategies of life indirectly positively influenced academic buoyancy through positive youth development. Therefore, positive youth development plays a mediatory role between self-management strategies and academic buoyancy. 54 % of the variance of academic buoyancy and 55 % of the variance of positive youth development are explained by the variables of positive youth development and self-management strategies, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition to adolescence involves biological and psychological changes, coinciding with a significant shift in school environment. These factors make young people vulnerable to drinking and smoking. These in turn can lead to aggressive behaviors, especially if they co-occur. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between the use of alcohol and tobacco alone, and the joint use of these substances, with physical aggression in this population. A representative school sample of 14-16 years old adolescents ( N = 944) was used (mean age 15.03 years). In the primary GLIMMIX analyses we used the trait-aggression scores as a continuous dependent variable; in the secondary analysis we investigated trait aggression as a categorical variable. Past month prevalence of smoking and drinking was 29.6 and 41.4 %, respectively. The prevalence of joint use was 21.7 %. Drinking and smoking were additively associated with elevated physical aggression, which was significantly higher among joint-users than in single substance users or non-users. Our findings pinpoint the potential importance of the joint use of these substances in the development of aggressive behaviors during this transition period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research predominantly from the developed world investigating the association between early childhood physical punishment (CPP) and later alcohol use has resulted in mixed findings. The purpose of the present study is to use the South African Stress and Health (SASH) study dataset to investigate whether there is an association between CPP and later alcohol problems among participants with and without caregivers who had alcohol and other drug problems (CAODP). A national survey of 4,351 South African adults was conducted as part of the World Mental Health Survey (WMHS). Participants were asked about early life experiences (including CPP), caregiver alcohol or other drug problems (CAODP), and alcohol outcomes. A modest association between CPP and later alcohol use was found in participants who reported an absence of CAODP (4 out of 10 alcohol outcomes remained significantly associated with CPP). For participants with a history of CAODP, the association between CPP and later alcohol use was weaker (only 1 alcohol outcome was significantly associated with CPP). Longitudinal research is necessary to clarify the causal mechanisms which underlie the association between CPP and Alcohol Use Disorders (AUDs). In the interim, these findings point to the potential value of addressing CPP in order to reduce the prevalence of alcohol use disorders in South Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of Internet Addiction (IA) in a sample of Italian high school students accounting for age, gender, place of residence, and kind of internet activity. The Internet Addiction Test (IAT) was administered to a sample of 1,035 high schools students (ages ranging from 13 to 22 years; 47.92 % girls) from three southern Italian cities. The prevalence of pathological Internet use in our high school students sample was 3.9 %, with males showing a higher likelihood of developing pathological Internet use. The most recurring Internet activities for excessive users were online games and online communication. No effect of age, place of residence, and region of residence was found. The results of this study reaffirm the importance of active involvement by experts dealing with addiction to implement programs for primary and secondary intervention among high school students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to qualitatively explore the relationship between young people and mobile phones, with a specific focus on problematic use. Five focus groups were undertaken, comprising 45 participants aged 13 to 18. Focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were thematically analysed using a general inductive approach. The analysis revealed five main themes, relating to the practicality of using a mobile phone, socialisation via mobile phones, harm caused by use of mobile phone technology, and the development of attachment and addiction to a mobile phone. The findings suggested that young people recognise problematic behaviour in relation to mobile phone use, and note that such behaviour is linked to physical, social and psychological consequences. This study provides a platform for further inquiry into the subject of problematic mobile phone use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential dangers of digital games for the development of game addiction among their players are discussed in media as well as in scientific research. Research so far has identified several potential risk factors among social settings, traits, and playing motives. The present study provides first insights into the perceptions of risk factors by (non-addicted) players ( N = 28) and by counselors ( N = 7). By conducting individual interviews with both groups we found that players especially named social settings as the most important influence on the development of problematic playing behaviour while counselors focused more on further existing psychological problems. We argue that the experience of both groups has to be taken into account to guide the development of prevention and intervention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between Internet addiction and problem solving skills of university students. The study also examined the psychometric properties of the Turkish version of Problematic Internet Entertainment Use Scale for Adolescents, which centers on major Internet entertainments such as online video games and social networking sites, specifically with regard to normative, reliability, and validity information. Problem Solving Inventory was utilized in order to measure the problem solving skills of students. Both instruments were administered to 371 students aged 17 to 36 years from different departments in Marmara University and Istanbul Technical University (Istanbul, Turkey). This study showed that the Turkish version of the Problematic Internet Entertainment Use Scale for Adolescents was a reliable and valid instrument for measurement of maladaptive patterns in the use of online entertainments such as OVG and SNS. The results revealed that there is a close relationship between problematic internet entertainment use and Avoidant ( r = 443; p < .01) and Impulsive problem solving styles ( r = .402; p < .01) among university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used the psycho-structural taxonomy proposed by King et al. ( International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 8(1), 90-106, ) to examine the structural characteristics of two genres of Facebook games (Tile Matching games and Simulation/RPGs) to investigate their potential to encourage and maintain Problem Video Game Play (PVGP). Ten of the most popular Facebook games were played by the first author for between two and three hours per game. Recurring structural characteristics influencing the researcher's behaviour or considered to be problematic were noted and compiled according to the taxonomy. Both genres appeared to have the capacity to encourage the development and maintenance of PVGP. While Simulation/RPGs appear to promote more problematic use than do Tile Matching games, both tended to use similar features to promote player engagement. Further in-depth research is needed to understand the psychological impact of playing Social Network Games, and how this may lead to, or encourage problematic use of these games. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the decision making processes involved when Chinese international students' (CIS) decide whether or not to gamble, as well as the impact that such behavior have on the construction of their identities in a new sociocultural environment. Two waves of narrative interviews were conducted with 15 CIS who self-reported as having gambling problems at the time of interview, or at some stage in their lives but had since recovered. The findings revealed that pre-existing beliefs and experiences, and various cultural schemas were closely linked to the participants' decision making processes. The findings also showed that the participants' sense of self-worth and self-respect became compromised as a result of their problematic gambling. The participants assigned to themselves extremely negative self-images, for example, 'unfilial', 'unworthy', 'worthless', 'prisoner', 'a burden', 'hopeless' and so on, that dominated their whole sense of self. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescents increasingly use electronic media as a night-time activity, amid concerns about the potential negative impact on sleep and daytime functioning. The present study examined electronic media use and pathological media use in relation to sleep activity in a normative sample of Australian adolescents. A total of 1,287 high school students aged 12-18 years (50 % female) were recruited from seven secondary schools in South Australia. Adolescents completed a questionnaire assessing electronic media use, pathological media use, and sleep factors. Adolescents reported non-optimal sleep duration on weekday (71 %) and weekend nights (53 %). One in five adolescents reported nightly bedtime delay as a consequence of electronic media use. Adolescent pathological media users reported significantly more sleep problems than their non-pathological peers. These data contribute to current knowledge of how electronic media use may negatively affect adolescent sleep patterns, particularly in regard to sleep displacement and sleep-onset latency effects. Further research is needed in light of the increasing accessibility and uptake of portable electronic media devices, as well as the growing use of media as a sleeping aid, among young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple computing devices continue to develop capabilities that support online gambling, resulting in the need to evaluate the extent that this trend will contribute to gambling problems. A sample of 1,141 participants completed an online survey assessing interest in and difficulties limiting use of digital services. Questionnaire items measured a range of behaviours associated with electronic service use (e.g., surfing, complaints). Results indicated that individuals utilising digital services and experiencing problems limiting their TV and Mobile phone usage were more likely to report gambling problems. These respondents were more likely to click on gambling-related links, report receiving larger amounts of spam, make more attempts to unsubscribe, and to click on links to counselling sites. Exposure and interest in electronic modes of communication can be associated with a greater risk of gambling related problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Against a background of public health, we sought to examine and explain gambling behaviours, motivations and consequences of Indigenous Australians in northern New South Wales. Adhering to national Aboriginal and ethical guidelines and using qualitative methods, 169 Indigenous Australians were interviewed individually and in small groups using semi-structured interviews. Over 100 in-depth interviews were conducted. Using thematic analysis, the results indicate a range of contrasting social and more problematic gambling behaviours, motivations and consequences. Acknowledging the cultural distinctiveness of Indigenous gambling and distinguishing between their social and more problematic gambling behaviours, motivations and consequences can assist with public health prevention, harm reduction and treatment programs for Indigenous gamblers in all parts of Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most salient developmental tasks of adolescence is the entry into romantic relationship, which often involves developing attachments to partners. Adolescents with a history of maltreatment have been found to be at greater risk of insecure attachments to romantic partners than non-maltreated adolescents, and the interaction of maltreatment and insecure attachment style has been linked to dating violence. The current study examined attachment styles and dating violence in child welfare-involved adolescents with borderline-to-mild intellectual disability ( n = 40) and with average IQ ( n = 116). Despite reporting similar experiences of childhood maltreatment, IQ was found to interact with avoidant attachment style to predict the degree of dating violence victimization and perpetration experienced by youth. It is suggested that an avoidant attachment style is a risk factor for all maltreated youth, and holds a particularly strong effect on youth with lower IQ levels. These findings highlight the need for developmentally appropriate attachment and dating violence interventions for maltreated youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four specific personality factors have been theorized to put adolescents at risk for alcohol abuse: hopelessness (HOP), anxiety sensitivity (AS), sensation seeking (SS), and impulsivity (IMP). We examined relations of these personality factors to various alcohol-related indices in a sample at high risk for alcohol problems-specifically, a child welfare sample. Adolescents ( n = 197; mean age = 16.8 years; 43% males) receiving services through Ontario Child Protective Services participated. Personality was assessed with the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS). Alcohol-related outcomes were assessed with the Ontario Student Drug Use and Health Survey (OSDUHS). Results showed that, consistent with theory, HOP, SS, and IMP were all positively correlated with overall drinking levels and overall alcohol problems on the OSDUHS. Unexpectedly, AS was negatively correlated with overall drinking levels and was unrelated to the OSDUHS overall alcohol problems factor. Consistent with hypothesis, HOP was related to an increased likelihood of receiving treatment for an alcohol problem. But, despite greater drinking levels and alcohol problems, IMP was related to a decreased likelihood of receiving alcohol treatment. In addition, SS and HOP were related to earlier onset drinking. Additional exploratory analyses revealed that AS was positively associated with difficulties stopping drinking and negatively associated with discussing such difficulties with school personnel. Implications for treatment and prevention of heavy drinking and alcohol problems in child welfare youth are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of a warning banner, informing patrons of the randomness of Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) outcomes, on gambling behaviour and beliefs were tested in a field setting using a mixed- model 2 × 3 design over a six-week period with 27 problem and 27 non-problem gamblers recruited from bars in a Canadian city with a population of 85,000. Overall, self-reported VLT gambling behaviour decreased significantly during the three, two-week periods. More specifically, gambling behaviour during the banner period was significantly less than during the baseline period. In addition, for only problem gamblers, significant decreases in faulty gambling beliefs were found across the three periods. This suggested that decreases in gambling behaviour were mediated by decreases in faulty gambling beliefs incurred by the banner of our study and can have practical importance in the prevention of problem gambling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methamphetamine has become a drug of concern in many countries. This qualitative study reports on the historical and current psychological and physical health of a group of methamphetamine users in Auckland, New Zealand in 2004, most of whom were in drug treatment. Participants reported they had experienced a range of physical health problems including those relating to lack of eating, skin problems, and cardiovascular and respiratory issues. Psychological problems included hallucinatory experiences, lack of sleep, feelings and acts of aggression and poor self-esteem. SF-36 results indicated that current health status was perceived as generally ‘good’, possibly due to many having stopped using the drug. Many participants were poly drug users so attribution to methamphetamine use remains problematic. Despite this, and the limitations of a small, urban, New Zealand population, this study adds to the body of quantitative research in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research into online gaming addiction is a relatively new area of psychological study. Furthermore, there are studies that have claimed that online gaming addiction may be addictive because of self-report accounts of very excessive use of up to 80 h a week. This study uses data from two case studies to highlight the role of context in distinguishing excessive gaming from addictive gaming. Both of the gamers in this study claimed to be playing for up to 14 h a day yet and although they were behaviorally identical in terms of their game playing, they were very different in terms of psychological motivation and the meaning and experience of gaming within their lives. It is argued that one of the players appears to be genuinely addicted to online gaming but that the other player is not based on context and consequences. The two cases outlined highlight the importance of context in the life of a gamer and demonstrates that excessive gaming does not necessarily mean that a person is addicted. It is argued that online gaming addiction should be characterized by the extent to which excessive gaming impacts negatively on other areas of the gamers’ lives rather than the amount of time spent playing. It is also concluded that an activity cannot be described as an addiction if there are few (or no) negative consequences in the player’s life even if the gamer is playing 14 h a day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive video game playing behaviour may be influenced by a variety of factors including the structural characteristics of video games. Structural characteristics refer to those features inherent within the video game itself that may facilitate initiation, development and maintenance of video game playing over time. Numerous structural characteristics that influence gambling frequency and expenditure have been identified in the gambling literature, and some researchers have drawn comparisons between the rewarding elements in video gaming and those in slot machine gambling. However, there have been few rigorous attempts to classify and organise the psycho-structural elements of video games in a similar way to gambling. In order to aid current psychological understanding of problem video game playing and guide further research questions in this area, a new taxonomy of video game features is proposed, which includes: (a) social features, (b) manipulation and control features, (c) narrative and identity features, (d) reward and punishment features, and (e) presentation features. Each category is supported with relevant theory and research, where available, and the implications of these features for excessive video game playing are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) are one of the most interesting innovations in the area of online computer gaming. This pilot study set out to examine the psychological and social effects of online gaming using an online questionnaire with particular reference to excessive and ‘dependent’ online gaming. A self-selecting sample of 119 online gamers ranging from 18 to 69 years (mean = 28.5 years) completed the questionnaire. The results showed that 41% of gamers played online to escape and 7% of gamers were classified as ‘dependent’ individuals who were at risk of developing a psychological and behavioural dependence for online gaming using an adapted ‘addiction’ scale. Further analysis showed that excessive online gaming was significantly correlated with psychological and behavioural ‘dependence’. It was also found that ‘dependent’ gamers appear to possess some core components of addiction to MMORPGs (e.g., mood modification, tolerance and relapse). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A screening tool (in Chinese) for maladaptive internet use was developed in two stages. Thirty-five factors were first extracted from data obtained from 378 adolescents with a 179-item questionnaire. Nine higher-order factors were then obtained from 35 factors. A 26-item screen that measures both endogenous and exogenous factors was constructed on the basis of the nine higher-order factors. The screen’s split-half validity and concurrent criterion-related validity were ascertained with a new sample of 3,523 adolescents. The screen may be used to classify adolescent internet-users into four categories. Its endogenous part may be used to identify potential problem internet users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the pre-post controlled experimental evaluation of a problem gambling prevention program aimed at school age youth. The program was very positively received by the students. We found a significant, but small improvement in the students’ understanding of random chance; however, we did not find any evidence for changes in gambling behaviour, coping strategies, or attitudes towards gambling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Armstrong et al. ( International Journal of Human Computer Studies, 53:537–550, ) explored the relationship between problematic Internet use and self-esteem. They devised a questionnaire called the Internet Related Problem Scale (IRPS) in order to measure the level of problem an individual is having due to their Internet use. This questionnaire study further examined the psychometric properties of the IRPS. Participants were recruited through the Internet, yielding 79 valid responses (14 males and 65 females). Factor analysis of the IRPS revealed six factors—salience, negative effects, mood enhancement, productivity, loss of control, and lack of information. These factors showed good internal consistency and concurrent validity, with salience being the most reliable. The limitations to this study are also addressed. Despite these limitations, the findings do seem to suggest that the IRPS has good psychometric properties and can be used in future studies examining Internet addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]